tiniest

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'tiniest' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use 'tiniest' when referring to something that is very small, such as when describing an object or person. For example: "The tiniest kitten in the litter was no bigger than a mouse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is brilliant at evoking social nuance and has an unfailing eye for the tiniest detail that will shine light on the whole.

The Guardian

The May issue of Observer Tech Monthly carried a graphic outlining the gestation periods of a variety of mammals, from the tiniest to the largest.

The Guardian

But please could you stop encouraging people, even the tiniest bit, not to vote?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yet, when free schools pulled the tiniest bit ahead of this, the celebratory roar within government was deafening.

The Guardian

Ann Pettifor, fellow, New Economics Foundation: "The proposed currency transaction tax (CTT) represents the tiniest grain of sand in the wheels of global, mobile capital, and places very little restraint on the movement of international capital.

The Guardian - Business

My personal view is that it has been the tiniest bit overrated, and I am a little bemused at some of the saucer-eyed critical responses, but there are some tremendous performances and it is terrifically watchable.

The Guardian - Film

In other words, it's just one more small reason to feel despair at a political system that has little positive to offer, and can't resist making a fuss when the tiniest progressive development hoves into view.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even if he stops crying for the tiniest of moments, it'll be worth it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When you play against their opposition, even the tiniest mistake is fatal.

The Guardian - Tech

There is the teensiest, tiniest flaw to this plan, however.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such dizzying numbers arise from the many different bits of specialised software running on so many interconnected devices, allowing the tiniest security gap to be prised open.If you are the sort to worry about this kind of thing, the worrying part is that they are the tip of the iceberg.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tiniest", ensure the context clearly indicates you're referring to the superlative degree of smallness, emphasizing that it is the smallest among a group or category.

Common error

Avoid using "tiniest" excessively in casual conversation where simpler terms like "small" or "little" might suffice. Reserve it for situations requiring emphasis on extreme smallness or insignificance.

Linguistic Context

The word "tiniest" functions primarily as a superlative adjective. It modifies a noun to indicate that it is the smallest in size, amount, or degree compared to others. Ludwig AI confirms the appropriateness of this term in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tiniest" functions as a superlative adjective used to emphasize the extreme smallness of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, science, and business contexts. Related terms include "smallest", "most minute", and "least significant", each offering slightly different nuances. When using "tiniest", ensure the context supports the need for emphasizing extreme smallness to avoid sounding overly formal or unusual in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smallest

Refers to the absolute minimum size, often used interchangeably but can sometimes imply less emphasis on insignificance.

most minute

Emphasizes extreme detail and precision in smallness, suitable for scientific or technical contexts.

least significant

Focuses on the lack of importance or consequence rather than physical size.

negligible

Highlights that something is so small it can be disregarded or is of no consequence.

infinitesimal

Suggests a quantity so small that it is practically zero, often used in mathematical or scientific contexts.

microscopic

Implies something is only visible with a microscope, emphasizing its extremely small size.

utterly insignificant

Stresses the complete lack of importance or value.

barely perceptible

Emphasizes the difficulty in noticing something due to its smallness or subtlety.

puny

Suggests something is weak or inadequate due to its small size.

minuscule

A more formal synonym for very small, derived from scientific terminology.

FAQs

How to use "tiniest" in a sentence?

The word "tiniest" is used as the superlative form of "tiny", indicating the smallest size or degree. Example: "The researcher examined the "tiniest particle" under the microscope."

What can I say instead of "tiniest"?

You can use alternatives like "smallest", "most minute", or "least significant" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "tiniest" or "smallest"?

Both "tiniest" and "smallest" are correct and often interchangeable. "Tiniest" emphasizes extreme smallness, while "smallest" is a more general term for the minimum size. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "tiniest" and "minuscule"?

"Tiniest" is the superlative form of "tiny", indicating the absolute smallest. "Minuscule" also means very small but doesn't necessarily imply a superlative degree. "Minuscule" is also more common in formal or scientific contexts.